singleshotbuff
09-17-2008, 01:16 PM
Gentlemen,
I have (well really Dad has) a No1 MK3 Lithgow Enfield, 303 British that has been sporterized. I'm trying to work up a good general purpose/deer load for Dad, using 180gr heathen jWord RN bullets. I'm using IMR-4320 powder, since I have quite a bit of it on hand for loading my 8X57mm.
I perused several reloading manuals that I have, and loaded several sample loads from 40 to 44grs. The velocities I got over the chrony today are;
40grs = 2342 f.p.s.
41grs = 2354 f.p.s.
42grs = 2418 f.p.s.
43grs = 2491 f.p.s.
44grs = 2494 f.p.s.
I am using Norma unfired brass, and here's where I need help.
The 40 and 41 grain loads showed pretty bad primer flattening, but this seemed to get better as I upped the powder charge. The 43 and 44 grain loads looked the best.
Is this because of headspace issues using F/L sized brass?
I then loaded up some samples with 43 & 44 grains using new unfired R-P brass. The velocity was the same, but the primers were severely flattened.
Not sure where to go here. I have 50 rds of new, unfired, F/L sized Winchester brass that I want to load for Dad to an honest 2400 f.p.s. but i want to make sure there are no safety issues.
Any help? This is my first time loading for an Enfield.
I also had a couple of pierced primers, which occurred at the lower powder charges. Is this a firing pin issue?
Thanks for any help.
SSB
I have (well really Dad has) a No1 MK3 Lithgow Enfield, 303 British that has been sporterized. I'm trying to work up a good general purpose/deer load for Dad, using 180gr heathen jWord RN bullets. I'm using IMR-4320 powder, since I have quite a bit of it on hand for loading my 8X57mm.
I perused several reloading manuals that I have, and loaded several sample loads from 40 to 44grs. The velocities I got over the chrony today are;
40grs = 2342 f.p.s.
41grs = 2354 f.p.s.
42grs = 2418 f.p.s.
43grs = 2491 f.p.s.
44grs = 2494 f.p.s.
I am using Norma unfired brass, and here's where I need help.
The 40 and 41 grain loads showed pretty bad primer flattening, but this seemed to get better as I upped the powder charge. The 43 and 44 grain loads looked the best.
Is this because of headspace issues using F/L sized brass?
I then loaded up some samples with 43 & 44 grains using new unfired R-P brass. The velocity was the same, but the primers were severely flattened.
Not sure where to go here. I have 50 rds of new, unfired, F/L sized Winchester brass that I want to load for Dad to an honest 2400 f.p.s. but i want to make sure there are no safety issues.
Any help? This is my first time loading for an Enfield.
I also had a couple of pierced primers, which occurred at the lower powder charges. Is this a firing pin issue?
Thanks for any help.
SSB